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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "hundred thousand united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",500,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "cotonou" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- ingbankgelgium014@gmail.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: David titus <davidtitus1212@gmail.com>
Reply-To: ingbankgelgium014@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:28:07 -0700
Subject: YOUR URGENT RESPONSE NEEDED
Attention:
I am sorry for have not communicated you since the reasons is because
i am trying to conclude with the management of ING bank Belgium who
will now release your payment directly to you in your country. I am
happy to inform you that all the necessary arrangements has been
finalized and your fund has channeled to ING bank Belgium where it
will be now transferred into your account through telegraphic
transfer.
You hereby advised to contact Dr. Nicolas Renard, Director Foreign
Operations Department ING Bank Belgium through this email address
(ingbankgelgium014@gmail.com) soon as you receive this message for
more information on how to receive your payment of Five Million Five
Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$5,500,000.00) only.
Always update me to know when you have confirmed your payment.
Regards
Mrs.Patricia Mahoney.
U.S EMBASSY
Cotonou, Benin Republic.
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Anti-fraud resources:
